Harsh winter is costing Wisconsin, and the state needs more money

Harsh winter is costing Wisconsin, and the state needs more money

MADISON (AP) — This year’s harsh winter weather is causing the Wisconsin Department of Transportation to spend more than planned on plowing, salting and other expenses.

The department next week will ask the Legislature to approve spending $27.3 million more than anticipated for expenses related to the long winter.

The state contracts with counties to help maintain state highways in addition to county roads. Bills are still coming in from counties for work plowing and salting roads this winter. The department expects it will go over its original maintenance budget by about $16 million.

The other $11.3 million comes from the additional 160,000 tons of salt purchased mid-winter to account for the snow and cold, according to the Legislative Fiscal Bureau.